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peridot
Featured Gem PERIDOT
Peridot, August’s birthstone, has an air of mystery. It has been found in all kinds of extreme places, including within volcanoes and meteorites. It is a variety of the olivine mineral family. Peridot was once thought to attract wealth and success. Ancient Egyptians called it “the gem of the sun” and believed that this bright, shiny stone could protect the wearer from nightmares.
BIRTHSTONE: AUGUST
overview
Peridot has been valued as far back as the ancient Egyptians, and possibly longer. The Egyptians mined it on the Red Sea island of Zabargad. Even today, many of the largest peridot gemstones in museums were originally from that island. Peridot is available in all price ranges for setting into jewelry, and some of the stones are quite spectacular in their bright yellowish-green color.
olovine
The earth’s upper mantle hides peridot, a gem that is a variety of olovine mineral.
4.5 billion
Peridot is also delivered to the earth via pallasite meteorites from the big bang of our solar system.
Stardust
In 2005, peridot was found in comet dust brought back from the Stardust robotic space probe.
QUALITY FACTORS
These four factors are used to determine the value of peridot.
color
The most valuable peridot is a grass green color, but the usual color is yellowish-green.
clarity
Black spots might be seen using magnification, but peridot is usually free of any visible inclusions.
cut
Cuts for peridot are done for jewelry settings in a wide variety of shapes, much like diamonds.
carat weight
Small peridot gems are used in jewelry, but these gems have been found in sizes of over 50 carats.